Blatt: «Hard, but not necessarily bad…» (vid)
Olympiacos will be leaving tomorrow (11/10) to Moscow, where he will be playing against Khimki on Friday (12/10, 19.00 CET) for the 1st round of the Euroleague.
"The first game is always exciting and challenging. Especially during this Euroleague season, I think that all games are going to be like that", the 'reds' coach, David Blatt commented and went on to say: "Khimki is a very good team. They have had a very good season last year. They have a good coach, and it's not ironic, but rather extremely interesting that he's Greek and has coached Olympiacos very successfully in the past. Khimki has a lot of good players that I have had the joy and honor of coaching in the past on National level. So there is an interest dunamic behind this game. it's the first game and all the more on the road. This is always difficult, but not necessarily bad".
Asked which are his team weaknesses that he would like to see improved in the game in Russia, he replied: "Looking back, and this is not an excuse, but rather a reality, we had too many players missing from the team for about 15-16 days in the middle of pre-season training. However, we are in a very good shape and we trying to cover for the lost ground, just like many other teams have been doing. You need to be playing with the cards you've been dealt with. You need to come and play the game at the hightest level possible and not look back".
Talking about Kostas Papanikolaou, who will be traveling to Moscow with the team, although his participation remains doubtful, he said: "He's been out for the last three weeks. We are very careful with him on purpose and we'll continue doing that. We've been monitoring him 24/7 and we'll see how he reacts each passing day".
Finally, when asked if there is any chance for a new signing, he made clear that: "Right now... The roster is completed. I hear rumors. People ask me who we are signing or we should be signing... But we haven't even discussed anything of the kind".
«We are excited»
On his part, Axel Toupane, pointed out: "It's the first Euroleague game and we are all excited. We have prepared well for it. I think we have made quite a good preparation before the season started, so this is good. Now, we are excited and can't wait to get there".
On whether playing the first Euroleague game on the road troubles him at all, he commented: "There is no difference. Maybe it's good to start on the road. Becasue teams are not ready yet, so they don't really have any advantage... Maybe that's better".
Finally, asked on how adjusted he and his team mates are to David Blatt's philosophy, the French forward replied: "I think we have been doing rather well. It's a dream come true for any player to be playing fast, up tempo, so it was rather easy for all of us. Now we simply need to be getting better".